What this page is based on
Trust and data notes
- ReviewedFigures and official sources were substantively reviewed on 19 July 2026. Numerical examples use calculator data version 2026.07.1.
- How to read the figuresOfficial charges and estimate-led costs are shown separately so buyers can see which parts of the total are fixed rules and which parts are planning ranges.
- When to double-checkFigures are guidance only. Buyers should check important numbers with their solicitor, lender or the relevant official authority before making financial decisions.
- Source styleThis page is mainly built from UK planning estimates rather than direct government fee tables.
At a glance
Key facts buyers should know first
Central example range
£550 to £1,800 at £300,000 using low-to-high assumptions
Average planning amount
£1,100
Classification
Optional allowance
User override
Replace the planning amount with a current quotation
Trust note
Official-rate items vs estimate-led items
TrueHomeCosts separates published rates from market-based assumptions so buyers can see which figures are official and which ones are planning estimates.
Official or published-reference items
- published mail redirection prices or service provider prices where relevant
Estimate-led items
- removal quotes
- packing
- storage
- locksmith work
- cleaning
- broadband setup and similar practical costs
How labels are used across the site
Official charge: based on published tax bands or fee scales.
Lender charge: fees tied to mortgage products, valuations or broker work.
Solicitor/conveyancing estimate: legal work and disbursement planning ranges.
Market estimate: surveys, moving, furnishing or other provider-led costs.
Optional cost: useful for planning, but not required on every purchase.
Situation-dependent cost: applies only to some properties or buyer types.
Plan the full picture
Use this guide with the right follow-up pages
Start with the homepage calculator to test your own numbers, then compare this topic with First Year Cost of Buying a House in the UK, Furnishing costs for a first home in the UK, Hidden costs of buying a house in the UK and Insurance costs for home buyers in the UK.
What moving costs include
Moving costs cover removals, van hire, packing or storage where selected. They do not include insurance or furnishing and setup.
The table below shows moving costs by calculator assumption level for a £300,000 England example, with columns for Assumption level, Amount, and Classification.
| Assumption level | Amount | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Low | £550 | Optional allowance |
| Average | £1,100 | Optional allowance |
| High | £1,800 | Optional allowance |
On smaller screens, scroll sideways to view every column clearly.
What can change the quotation
Distance, property size, access, packing, storage and timing can all change the quote. Van hire and a full removal service are different scenarios.
Affiliate link: True Home Costs may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Compare removal quotes
AnyVan provides instant prices for UK home removals and man-and-van services.
Get an AnyVan removal quoteNeed temporary storage during your move?
Safestore offers personal storage for people moving home, renovating or waiting between completion dates.
Check Safestore storage optionsHow to use a real quote
Enter the quotation in the calculator as a user-entered amount. Keep other categories separate so one quote does not overwrite unrelated costs.
Try this in the calculator
Run your own version of this scenario
Use the homepage calculator to change the property price, nation, buyer type and assumption level so you can compare the simple version of the budget with a more realistic one.
Open the calculatorHow this category fits total upfront cash
Deposit, property tax, core transaction costs, selected moving costs, insurance, furnishing and contingency.
Switch optional costs off when they do not apply, but do not silently fold them into another label.
Add moving costs to the total, not just the to-do list
Switch moving costs on in the calculator to see the difference between a legal-only budget and a realistic move-in budget.
Go to the calculatorPopular buying-cost examples
See how the deposit and extra costs change at common UK property prices.
Reference points
Official UK guidance
This guide is informed by publicly available UK guidance from official and consumer-support sources where relevant.
Content notes
Reviewed and maintained by the TrueHomeCosts research team.
Our guides are built from official UK tax sources, public cost information and typical market price ranges. We separate fixed official charges from variable market estimates so buyers can see which figures are certain and which may change.
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026
Calculator data version: 2026.07.1
This content is for general guidance only and is not financial advice. For more detail, read how our estimates work or learn more about TrueHomeCosts.
FAQ
Questions buyers usually ask
Is every buyer required to pay moving costs?
No. It is optional and should be included only when relevant.
Is the planning range an official tariff?
No. It is a market estimate and should be replaced with a current quotation.
Can I enter my own amount?
Yes. The calculator supports a user-entered override for this category.
Related guides
Read next
First Year Cost of Buying a House in the UK
See the first year cost of buying a house in the UK, including upfront fees, completion-day costs, moving costs, furnishing, insurance and ongoing ownership costs.
Furnishing costs for a first home in the UK
Budget for the cost of furnishing a first home in the UK, including essentials, non-essentials, realistic ranges and how to phase spend after completion.
Hidden costs of buying a house in the UK
A detailed guide to the hidden costs of buying a house in the UK, including solicitor fees, conveyancing disbursements, searches, surveys, transfer fees, indemnity policies and the practical extras buyers often miss.
Insurance costs for home buyers in the UK
A guide to insurance costs for home buyers in the UK, including buildings insurance, life insurance, mortgage protection and landlord insurance for buy-to-let buyers.
How much money do I need to buy a house in the UK?
Work out how much money you need to buy a house in the UK, including the deposit, upfront fees, property tax, legal costs, surveys, mortgage charges, moving costs and a practical buffer.